More BAD BOYS

I have finally contacted Brent Fox and Ron Barloon. Hopefully they will be posting soon!

Can't wait for you guys to read what Dennis has up his sleeve!

What is a BAD BOY?

What is a BAD BOY?
What are the traits associated with a BAD BOY?
Some examples of BAD BOY.
How do you become a BAD BOY?


It is time to impart this knowledge, this secret to the masses. Of course, all will not be revealed, only what is neccessary! I will start, I expect each of you to add to it as you see fit!

1. He is a man.

2. Tenacious, locquacious and perilous.

3. Leading the strike. Be it at the enemy or each other! Hoping for the best but prepared for the worst. Laughing when there should be tears. Tears when there should be anger. But most of all

Being there when needed. No questions asked.

4. If you have to ask, you can't get there.

More Cars

You know how it is with Flight School LT's and new cars. I think she gets it from her Mother. The family taste in cars seems to have gone to German and red.

Dean, quit looking at my daughter that way!

Brad making Darla Fly

This is some actual video shot of Darla riding the tube with Brad driving the boat. Notice how he guns the engine when the tube gets alittle air under it.

That is Love!

Darla flying

Flying is easy, it is the landings that are hard!

Instruction Complete: New Technical Dive Instructor on the Block

So I can tell you guys really like the audio blog! Hey, it was the first one. And it wasn't easy I was trying to stay awake by hanging my head out the window dodging bugs, eating flaming hot cheetos and slamming Dr. Peppers like water. My hair (what little there is) was standing on end.

So you also want to be an audio blogger to this weblog. You can be, just follow the magic instructions!!!!

1. dial 415-856-0205
2. when asked, type in the primary number which is 903-520-3133
3. the pin is 6464
4. start yapping
5. hit pound key (#) when done, otherwise all is lost

This will show up as a date and time stamp on the blog, if neccesary I can rename it for you losers.

Back to the important stuff.

After a week of pretty much getting my testes smashed daily by a technical instructor trainer (whose name happens to be Dan) I have been bestowed the coveted title of technical dive instructor for advanced nitrox (oxygen mixes up to 100%) decompression procedures (max depth 150' with decompression gas stage bottle) and after I complete 25 dives with 2 additional stage bottles I will be able to teach extended range (depths to 180'). It was like a check ride every day. I was student on one dive, he was student on the next. Needless to say he wasn't a good student. He was always getting into trouble, going to deep wandering off and simulating running out of air at depth. It was a nightmare. Teaching classes and planning and briefing the dives. Homework and tests every night.

I am just happy to be part of the team.

Dean Driving to 40 fathom grotto, Ocala Florida

Diving with two young men

This is a copy of a post on some scuba bulletin boards here in Texas. Take a close look at the picture of the boys and remember how lucky we all are!

Trash Fest and Treasure Hunt, Tyler State Park

The new instructors and divemasters at the shop I teach at does a community service project each year. The project for the second year, is the Tyler State Park Trash Fest and Treasure Hunt.

Two things are accomplished, the lake is cleaned up by scuba divers, who get to do a treasure hunt to win prizes (current total $12,000 which includes mask, fins, snorkel, BC's, regulators, dive computers, bags and other gear), with proceeds going to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital (which provides free medical care for children).

Last night I was given the opportunity to dive with two young men, Wayne and Jimbo both 9 yrs old. Both have received care from the Scottish Rite Hospital. Wayne was born without a right radius and with a vestigial right thumb without bone and with only four fingers on the left hand. He has had surgery to the left hand, creating a thumb with a finger (he has pincer grip now). Jimbo is near quadriplegic with only small gross movement of the arms. He is confined to a motorized wheelchair with sip/puff controller. He has had multiple treatments and surgery at the Scottish Rite Hospital. (see pictures here)

Helping these boys dive had a significant impact on me. They each snorkeled and briefly breathed off a regulator while swimming on the surface. But they had SCUBA DIVED! They got to experience that freedom of the water that all scuba divers must love, if only for a moment. Jimbo, I was told, slept with his new mask and snorkel last night.

This is what the trash fest is all about, helping kids who need it. Plus the lake gets cleaned up for the kids (and adults) who swim in it.

If you are not busy the weekend of June 3rd, come on to east Texas and scuba with us. If you are interested here is a link for more information Trash Fest 2006 Or you can contact Steve Lockhart here Scuba Steves Aquatic Adventures

Dean

Trust

When we all were in the desert, there were a few opportunities to show trust.

I chose one day with George.

He took care of the bird, he took care of Erich and I.

On this day, I asked George if the bird was good to go. He replied "yes". I climbed in, started the bird and flew the mission. No pre-flight, no log book review.

It is the best way I could tell him,

I trust your judgement, I trust your experience

I trust you.

Living the Dream

Here is an updated picture of me, not much has changed except I too have a few extra pounds and quite a few tats since my time with you all. The best change in my life is the addition of my son Tristen Ryan Spengler who has helped me in more ways than he will ever know and my other baby, 2004 Caddy EXT which is helping in my quest for a new babies momma. The old one traded me in for an import model.

This saturday 6 May 06, at Terrell, Texas. It was the season opener for the scuba shop I teach with. Djuana and Desirae.

Just to make Dean Cry

Sorry Dean,
Everyone but you is having fun! Although I'd bet a dollar that my wife would love to play with that little cherub in your arms! That's Darla, Kayla and Kayla's freind behind the our boat, ...at the lake, the lake Bryan and I go to every weekend...without you :-(

Pale by comparison

I had thought to show a friend of mine the picture of me driving the dirt stock car. When I realized that I pale in comparison to the next two posts with F-16s, porche, and motorcycle.

If I didn't love you guys, I would be sick with envy (well maybe I still am anyway).

Each of you are my family. My thoughts are that you have two kinds of family. The one you are born with and the one you choose.

I choose you. As I hope each of you know, you are within the circle that I call me and mine. This I hold dear. This I protect. This I hold in my heart.

And for each of you reading this

Thank You.

dean